Introduction
Pneumatology is the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. It is an important doctrine in Christianity. Many in Christendom wrote about it. But most of them would explain the Holy Spirit base on their own understanding. That is why today there are so many tongues speaking denominations. These denominations are build base on different understanding of the Holy Spirit.
But Jesus should be the person who is most familiar with the Holy Spirit. Therefore the Pneumatology of Christ is the one that is most accurate. For only Christ can explain how the Holy Spirit works the best.
Therefore Christians ought to check our understanding against the what Jesus taught. But in order to do so, we need to understand what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit. The teaching of Christ regarding the Holy Spirit is found in the bible. If we want to understand it, we need to examine all the verse that was spoken about it.
that is the only way to achieve a complete understanding.
The truth is, there are not many verses but yet these verse are far reaching and deep. That is why many in Christendom can write volumes and volumes of books regarding it. But does the thickness of their book guarantee complete understanding? That may not be so, for the ability of man is limited. That is why the Holy Spirit is sent to help us understand the word of God.
PT 1: The Holy Spirit Is Here To Guide And Lead Us Into All Truth
One of the most important work of the Holy Spirit is to help us understand the words of Jesus. If we want to understand the truth in Christ, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to understand. As Jesus once said to his disciples
“I still have many things to say to you,
but you cannot bear them now.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth,
has come, He will guide you into all truth;
for He will not speak on His own authority,
but whatever He hears He will speak; and
He will tell you things to come.”- Jesus (Jn 16:12-13 )
While many understand that the Holy Spirit is a seal and guarantee of our inheritance (Eph 1:13-14) and the Holy Spirit is the proof that we are the sons of the heavenly father. (Rom 8:14-17).. This understanding is correct, but incomplete, for it is one of his many works. These verses refers to our life to come in the kingdom of heaven.
But What happens between now till the end of the world? What is the role of the Holy Spirit now? From here we know he is here to lead and guide us into all truth. That is why we need to seek for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Infilling is not about how loud your tongue speaking is, but rather it is about how well we understand the truth and the scriptures.
One may be speaking in tongues, but the truth they hold on to may be incorrect. Some of their actions may even go against the truth in the bible. They are unaware that their actions and thinking grieve the Holy Spirit. For they no longer seek to understand the truth, but they want to hold on to what they think is right.
PT 1.1: How Does The Holy Spirit Help Us To Understand The Truth?
As Christian, we need to understand that only the truth from God can grant us salvation. That truth lies in the words of Jesus and we need to listen to him. The Holy Spirit primary purpose is to allow us to understand the words of Jesus.
It is not about just hearing the words of Christ, but we need to understand what he is talking about. While the function of the Holy Spirit is to help us understand and comprehend the words of God. Why is it that there are people who cannot understand even after listening to the scriptures?
In fact the bible is not mysterious writing, it is written plainly and are easy to read. The words spoken by Jesus and the stories in the gospel are easiest to understand. Some may find the Old Testament and the Torah difficult. Perhaps they can understand Genesis, Exodus but as they proceed to Leviticus they find it hard to follow. That is why many feel the new testament easy to read and the old testament too deep. Now there are many scholars who publish lengthy exposition of the old testament. And swamps of people hero-worship their understanding.
But is the words of Jesus indeed so shallow?
Perhaps on the surface it is very easy to understand literally. but the Holy Spirit is here to lead us to understand the truth. It is not just a portion of it, but he is here to lead us deeper into all truth. So what does it mean to enter into all truth? How can one enter into truth?
Let us examine what it means to enter into the Truth. There are 2 aspects I can think of. But for this article we will look into one of these aspect.
To Allow One to Have A Direct Relationship with the Truth.
The Holy Spirit is here to lead us into all truth, and that means to allow us to have a direct relation with the truth. This is not a mere superficial relationship where one merely listen to the words of God.
He is here to help us enter into the truth and achieve a deeper understanding. A deeper understanding is not about a mere academic or linguistic appreciation of the bible. But it refers to a deeper understanding. Whenever you read the passage again you will gain new perspective, new details. As the result you again new understanding, and that understanding will work in your heart. Exhorting you and strengthening your faith.
It will lead you in your resolve, and your heart to seek and follow the lesson you learn. There will be a change in you where others can see that you have entered into the truth.
Have you ever wonder why the same sermon produces different result? There are some who are bored stiff while others are moved to tears. Some remain indifferent to the message while some repented and turn to the Lord. That is the result of the Holy Spirit moving within you, bringing you closer to God.
That is why the same message may be treated as pearls by some while other treat it like garbage.
The same observation can be seen when it comes to the understanding of the truth. The word of God can appear like dry grass to people. The more they hear it, the more frustrated they became. But to those who entered into the truth, they find it precious. The more they went deeper, the more treasure they found, they will say that the word of God is sweeter than honey.
It is at that point of time the truth had an impact and created a relationship between that man and God. As a result, that man will receive eternal life in the future. The truth will continue to cleanse his life of sin, give him strength to renew himself. It will bring him comfort and strength so that he can continue walking on that path to heaven.
An Example From The Gospel
Why is it that the same words from a sermon when heard by 2 groups of people produces different result? There is one example in the gospel that fully illustrate this..
It is recorded in John 6:60-63
Jesus spoke a sermon where shared the truth with his followers. There are 2 different reaction that came from that sermon. Today we re able to know that when Jesus talks about eating his flesh and drinking his blood he is referring to the Holy communion which we now participate . By receiving the Holy Communion, we have eaten his flesh and drank his blood. As the result Christ will abide in us and we in him, and we will be raised in the last days.
We know that those who heard this teaching are not unbelievers, but disciples of Christ. They believed and followed him because they saw the authority and the power of Christ. But at this point of time, Jesus is no longer preforming his miracles but he is sharing a truth with them. Jesus wanted to lead them into the truth so they will have a relationship with him.
This relationship is not physical or superficial, but a spiritual relationship that is deep with God. Jesus was sharing with them how to be joined to the life of Christ. Yet the disciples told Jesus
“This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”- Disciples (Jn 6:60)
What is the result of that sermon? They left Jesus. They followed him no more. (Jn 6:66)
Today if you follow Jesus for the sake of miracles, if you believe in him only because you see his power and miracles. Will you be able to follow Christ when he talk about the truth in the word of God? Will we be able to accept it, will we regard it as necessary and important? Will we choose to leave Christ because we find it a hard saying?
But yet on the other hand we see another group, a minority. They took the effort to hear it, they ponder over the words of Christ. Even though they have not heard it before, but they understand that it concern eternal life. They open their hearts to it.
That is the point when the Holy Spirit moves them, and lead them into the truth. Even though they cannot fully or logically accept this truth. They are willing to obey and be moved by the Spirit of God.
When Jesus asked “Do you want to go away?”. What did they say?
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life. Also we have come to
believe and know that You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”- Peter (Jn 6:68-69)
Peter represented that minority who believed, who put in effort to listen to Christ. They paid attention to the truth and made a resolve to follow Christ.
Here is the difference between one guided by the Holy Spirit from one who is not lead by the Holy Spirit. The same sermon demonstrate these two different consequences.
Misconception #1: Is It The Holy Spirit Fault If we Fail To Enter Into Truth?
But this idea brings about a difficulty. Some will say they are unable to enter the truth for the Holy Spirit did not guide them. Does that mean that is is the Holy Spirit preventing them from understanding? So today if the words of God appear dry and boring, is it the Holy Spirit’s fault?
If the Holy Spirit is not here, he cannot lead us into the truth. But now when he is here with us, why is it that not everyone understand the Truth?
The Holy Spirit may come and move you, but one can choose to close their heart to the Lord. It is not that the Holy Spirit is unwilling to lead, but our hearts are closed. We are unwilling to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.
That is why we need to open our hearts , to draw near and communicate with God. If we are unwilling to open our hearts, how can the Holy Spirit move you?
In my church we have a habit of praying in silence before the service In it, though none of us ever tell each other what we pray about, but I would often ask God to guide us in this service, for hearts to be open to the truth. I will pray that everyone can understand the truth of God.
For speakers can only explain the words of the bible to their best ability. They can try to present their points logically and clearly. But they cannot open our hearts. Only the Holy Spirit can open the hearts of the listeners and he will not force his way into your heart.
Unless one is willing to open his heart to pursue and learn the truth, than the Holy Spirit will guide. That is also why we often hear that Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts. On the sermon of the mount he said, “Blessed are those who thirst and are poor in spirit” . But are we poor in Spirit? Do we long for God like the deer pants for water?
The Importance Of Desiring The Truth
There are many things that we want, but do we desire the truth of God? If we only listen to the word of God, then our relationship with God will only be superficial. It will be difficult to enter into truth if we only use our ears and not our heart.
At best that understanding will only remain as an superficial academic knowledge. That is the reason why the word of God is unable to move our hearts. The Holy Spirit wanted to move us in our hearts, to lead us to think about the word of God and most importantly to enter into truth.
If we enter into the truth, our lives will be renewed and our faith will grow. Then we can understand the truth and enter into salvation. That is the important work of the Holy Spirit, and it is the aspect that we tend to neglect.
Christians often neglect the importance of entering into truth and being renewed in Spirit. Even though we serve in various ministry, and are zealous in our work. Even though we offered much to the church, but the truth of Christ did not change us in anyway.
We remain that same old self before we know Christ. We remain greedy, bad tempered, full of pride and the wrong concepts of God. We did not bear the fruit of the spirit nor did we change to be like Christ. If Christ were to come again, can our old unrepentant self be saved?
Perhaps we have served in many ministries within the church, but we failed in the most important duty, that is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into the truth. That is what Jesus really wants us to do
“This is the work of God, that
you believe in Him whom He
sent.” – Jesus (Jn 6:29)
We often define divine work as serving in the ministry, helping the poor, and preaching the gospel. But when the people asked Jesus “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus simply said that it is to believe in Jesus. If you truly believe in Christ, you will submit and follow Christ, you will emulate him. If we are able to do that, we have did the most basic of the will of God.
For God wants to save us, he want us to work with him to lead others to repentance. If we are able to do so, we have indeed done the work of God.
Working Out Our Salvation
Paul once said
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling; 1
for it is God who works in you both to will
and to do for His good pleasure. “- Paul (Php 2:12-13)
Paul wanted us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We need to resolve to work out our salvation. Then God will work with us to do his good pleasure. The Holy Spirit is here to lead us into all truth.
It is not just to give us a mere understanding of the truth, but it can allow us to have a direct relationship with God through it. We need to obey the truth and allow it to sanctify our lives. Then we will slowly change and Christ will be form in us.
What It Means To Enter Into Truth?
The Holy Spirit is a guaranty and an evidence of our salvation This is seem clearly in Eph 1:13-14. But such knowledge is only superficial and mere touching the surface. We may have understood this, but have we entered into the truth of salvation?
When Paul wrote the book of Ephesians they have not fully entered into the truth. They have their spiritual life reborn, they have began their life of faith, but there was no change in their lives. Even though they spoke in tongues and preach the the truth of Christ, though they serve in various ministries but they are negligent in Spiritual Nurture. They have not entered into the truth, nor did they have a relationship with the truth.
That is why Paul reminded them
“But you have not so learned Christ, if
indeed you have heard Him and have
been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
that you put off, concerning your former
conduct, the old man which grows corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts,”” –Paul (Eph 4:20-22)
Paul told them that they have no so learned Christ. If they truly hear the truth, they must enter and obey the truth. Allow it to change their life. They must no longer continue to do the things they used to do. If one truly enter the truth, people will see the change in us. We will become a new man, reflect the image of God.
To give us a practical example, Paul continue to give practical examples in Eph 4:25-29. And he gave us an important reminder.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit
of God, by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption. “ – Paul (Eph 4:30)
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit is here to help us obey God, if we continue to remain in our old ways, we will grieve the Holy Spirit. Eventually he will depart from us, and we will not be saved. That is why we must work out our salvation, believe in the truth, entered into truth and establish a relationship with it.
The truth is Christ, let us keep the Jesus and his teachings into our heart. We must emulate him and follow him. This is the most important work. IT is one of the primary duty of the Holy Spirit from now till the end of times.
May God help all of us to understand this truth, may he continue to lead us. So that we will follow the truth and love it.
The Hesitant Prize Fighter 